Obtaining a c5 business immigrant visa for UK citizen to open a company or buy out a share
To open or purchase a share of an LLP in Kazakhstan, foreign citizens need to apply for a visa of category C 5 business immigrant. This requirement is prescribed in accordance with sub-paragraph 2, paragraph 2, Article 40 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Migration of the Population”: “foreigners who have not received a visa to enter as business immigrants are prohibited from being founders and participants of commercial organizations.”
The C5 visa can be single-entry or multiple-entry. For the initial registration of a company or the purchase of a share, the presence of a single-entry C5 visa will be enough. As a rule, foreign citizens who plan to stay in the Republic of Kazakhstan for a long time receive a multiple-entry visa. Here in the article we want to share our experience and tell you how we got a business immigrant visa for a British citizen.
THE ESSENCE OF THE REQUEST: A British citizen living in the Republic of Kazakhstan asked us to help apply for a visa C5. A foreign citizen wanted to buy out a share in an existing Kazakh LLP. There was a task to get a visa C5 in order that the question of the company’s activities would not arise in the future due to the lack of an appropriate visa category. In order for a British citizen to receive a single-entry C5 visa, it is necessary to go through 2 stages:
STAGE 1. Registration of an invitation letter and receipt of a visa support number
The list of required documents: a copy of the passport of a foreign employee, place of residence abroad, certificate of registration of the inviting organization, data of the signatory and other details.
Deadlines: The process takes an average of 5-7 working days from the date of registration of the invitation letter. It takes an additional 3-5 working days to prepare and collect documents. A lot will depend on the speed of providing the necessary documents. In rare cases, the NSC (National Security Committee) may extend the approval up to 30 calendar days.
According to our case, the visa support number was ready on the 5th working day after the registration of the letter. At this stage, the presence of a foreign citizen in the Republic of Kazakhstan is not required. We have issued the documents on the basis of a power of attorney.
Risk zones: the presence of an inviting party on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Expenses: 0.5 MCI per invitation letter.
STAGE 2. Applying for a visa at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the UK
List of required documents:
- a copy of the invitation letter with an approved visa support number
- the original passport
- photo and completed visa application form
- confirmation of payment of the state fee
- medical certificates confirming the absence of diseases, the presence of which prohibits entry into Kazakhstan
- medical insurance
- certificate of no criminal record
- certificate of the absence of a ban on doing business*
Terms: the insertion of the visa takes up to five working days from the date of application by the applicant. In our case, after applying, the visa was issued on the second working day.
Risk zones: the UK has its own requirements for some documents and there are discrepancies in the list with the requirements of the Kazakh side. We worked out this moment with the embassy and successfully received a visa.
Expenses: 75GBP for a single C5 visa.
If a foreigner does not have a company in Kazakhstan, and he is only going to register it, how can I issue an invitation?
In this case, an invitation letter can be prepared by a law firm that will be engaged in the registration of a legal entity. In the future, when re-gluing a visa from 5 from a single to a multiple, a change of the inviting person will be made.
What is the cost of the consular fee for a visa?
- 5 MCI. The amount is paid by the inviting company in Kazakhstan and is attached to the invitation letter.
- 75 GBP for a single C5 visa – paid by a foreigner at the Embassy / Consulate
- an additional fee is paid when the visa is extended for multiple entry.
Can family members get an accompanying visa?
The following family members of a business immigrant have the right to apply for a visa for reunification (category C2 visa). To do this, a number of requirements must be met. Here is a brief information, for more detailed information, please contact the consultants:
- A spouse who has been married for at least 3 years.
- Children, including adopted, under 18 years of age and unmarried.
- * Children, including adopted children, over 18 years old, unmarried and unable to provide for themselves for health reasons.
- Disabled parents who are dependent on a business immigrant.
Is it possible to get an electronic C5 visa online without visiting the Embassy?
No, it is necessary to paste the visa at the Embassy / the consulate, since only single-entry visas for business purposes, treatment and tourism can be obtained electronically.
Is it possible to get a multiple-entry C5 visa?
If a foreign citizen plans to stay in the Republic of Kazakhstan as a founder in the future, he can get a multiple-entry C5 visa for up to 2 years. It is very important that the name of the inviting party in single-entry and multiple-entry C5 visas be identical. For example, from the beginning, having made an invitation to a one-time C5 from a law firm, then submitting documents for a multiple one from a new company raises certain questions. Therefore, if a foreigner wants to open a new company, then before issuing an invitation for a one-time C5, we recommend registering a new company for a citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan, so that the foreigner can then buy it out. Thus, the inviting parties in the two visas will be the same.
Read more about the multiple-entry visa process at the link.